The objective of this trial is to collect data on the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of internet delivered Cognitive Beaviour Therapy (iCBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (iACT) interventions tailored towards the treatment of depression and chronic pain using a doubly-randomized, attention-controlled, non-blinded, patient-preference design.
The primary objective is to collect data on the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of internet delivered Cognitive Beaviour Therapy (iCBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (iACT) on depressed mood among individuals with chronic pain relative to attention control (AC). The secondary objectives are to evaluate the efficacy of iCBT and iACT on clinically relevant outcomes endorsed by the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT). Adults with chronic non-cancer pain and major depression will be randomized to receive iACT, iCBT, or AC. The interventions comprise 7 weekly online modules available through Therapist Assisted Online (TAO). Patients will be contacted weekly by a member of the study team who will be acting as their personalized "online therapy coach."
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
12
The intervention comprises 7 weekly online modules available through Therapist Assisted Online (TAO), including: 1) psychoeducation about chronic pain and depression; 2) thoughts and feelings; 3) understanding stress and relaxation; 4) unhealthy and healthy thoughts; 5) layers of thinking; 6) core beliefs; and 7) relationship, lifestyle, problem solving, and relapse prevention. Online content is supplemented with weekly coaching sessions performed via video-conference with doctoral students of Clinical Psychology.
The intervention comprises 7 weekly online modules available through Therapist Assisted Online (TAO), including: 1) psychoeducation about chronic pain and depression; 2) introduction to ACT; 3) cognitive fusion and defusion; 4) thinking mind versus observing mind \& acceptance; 5) mindfulness; 6) values; and 7) taking action. Online content is supplemented with weekly coaching sessions performed via video-conference with doctoral students of Clinical Psychology.
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Screening and Consent Rates
The number of patients with CNCP and suspected major depression who are referred for screening will be recorded. Eligibility rate will be calculated as the number of patients who meet full inclusion criteria divided by the number of patients referred for screening. Number of patients declining referral for screening and reasons for exclusion will be documented. Consent rate will be calculated by dividing the number of patients who consent to undergoing randomization by the number who met full inclusion criteria.
Time frame: Through study completion, up to 2-years
Change in symptoms of depression measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (PHQ-9)
Change in symptoms of depression as measured using the PHQ-9 from baseline to post-intervention. Scores range from 0-27 with higher scores reflecting greater symptoms of depressed mood.
Time frame: Change from baseline to end of treatment (i.e., week 8).
Adherence to intervention measured as frequency of visits to online modules.
Intervention adherence will be measured using data recorded by Therapist Assisted Online (TAO) program and include: 1) frequency of visits to TAO modules throughout weeks 1 to 8.
Time frame: End of treatment (i.e., week 8)
Perceived acceptability of treatment measured using qualitative interviews
Acceptability data will be collected using semi-structured interviews with patients. Open ended questions will be asked to ascertain the following: 1) acceptability of the delivered intervention; 2) perceived value, benefits, harms and unintended consequences of the delivered intervention; 3) perceived need for refinement of the delivered intervention.
Time frame: Completion of the intervention (i.e., week 8)
Change in physical function measured using the pain interference subscale of the Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form (BPI-SF)
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1-module of psychoeducation about chronic pain and major depression. Weekly contact to complete measures of symptomatology and well-being.
Change in pain interference between baseline and post-intervention will be measured using the Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form (BPI-SF). Pain interference is measured s the average degree to which pain impacts seven daily activities (e.g., activity, work, sleep). Scores range from 0 to 10 with higher scores reflecting greater pain-related interference.
Time frame: Baseline, 4-weeks, and post-intervention (i.e., week 8)
Change in emotion function measured using the Depression, Anxiety Stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21).
Change in depression, anxiety and stress between baseline and post-intervention measured using the Depression, Anxiety Stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21). The DASS is a 21-item Likert scale with questions ranging from 0 (did not apply to me at all) to 3 (applied to me very much or most of the time). The 21 questions are divided into three scales, each comprising of 7 questions: depression, anxiety, and stress. Scores for each subscale range between 0 and 21 with higher scores reflecting greater levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Time frame: Baseline and through study completion, an average of 8-weeks.
Change in pain severity will be measured using the pain severity composite scale of the Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form (BPI-SF)
Change in pain severity between baseline and post-intervention will be measured using the pain severity composite of the Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form (BPI-SF). Pain severity is measured using the average rating of pain made across the previous 24-hour period (e.g., average pain, worst pain, least pain). Scores range from 0 to 10 with higher scores reflecting greater pain severity.
Time frame: Baseline and through study completion, an average of 8-weeks.
Change in psychological flexibility measured using the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI).
Change in psychological flexibility between baseline and post-intervention measured using the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI). The MPFI is a 60-item scale measuring 6 dimensions of psychological flexibility and 6 dimensions of psychological inflexibility as posited by the Hexaflex model. Each item is rated on a 6-point scale ranging from 1 (never or never true) to 6 (always or always true). Measures of psychological flexibility and inflexibility are calculated as the average score across the subscales representing each dimension. Scores range from 1 to 6 with higher scores representing higher levels of the dimensions being assessed.
Time frame: Baseline and through study completion, an average of 8-weeks.
Mediators of change for cognitive behavioural therapy measured using change in the cognitive behavioural therapy skills questionnaire.
Change in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) skill utilization among patients allocated to the CBT group will be measured among patients assigned to the CBT group using the CBT skills questionnaire. The CBT skills questionnaire is a 16-item self-report measure that assesses the client's frequency and performance of CBT utilization. It is a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("I don't do this") to 5 ("I always do this"). Higher scores reflect greater utilization of CBT skills.
Time frame: Baseline and through study completion, an average of 8-weeks.
Mediators of change for acceptance and commitment therapy measured using change in the acceptance and action questionnaire.
Change in acceptance of chronic pain will be measured among patients assigned to the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) group using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II). The AAQ-II is a 7-item self-report measure. Patients rate how true statements are to them on a scale of 1 (never true) to 7 (always true). Score ranges from 7-49, with higher scores reflecting less acceptance and commitment.
Time frame: Baseline and through study completion, an average of 8-weeks.